Mus. [Ital.:—L. cauda tail.] A passage of more or less independent character introduced after the completion of the essential parts of a movement, so as to form a more definite and satisfactory conclusion.
1753. in Chambers, Cycl. Suppl.
1815. Europ. Mag., LXVIII. 154. The coda concludes the piece with spirit and energy.
1888. Academy, 21 Jan., 51/3. In the opening allegro we have … careful elaboration, and a highly effective coda.
¶ The sense ‘tail of a note’ is only Italian.
